Are you craving a Disneyland vacation, but can't get there right now? The current pandemic is making us long for “The Happiest Place on Earth” more than ever. So, we are doing what we can to bring Disneyland to our house with a list of Disneyland-at-Home ideas.
Whether you're prepping for a future Disneyland trip or just want to re-live some of the happy memories from your last Disneyland trip (with no lines!), there are lots of ways to taste, hear and experience Disneyland at home anytime.
Here are my family's best Disneyland-at-home ideas.
Download the Disneyland App
The official Disneyland App is an essential tool inside the parks, but lately it's been publishing fun Disneyland activities you can enjoy at home.
These include recipes, quizzes, video clips, drawing lessons, Jungle Cruise jokes and more. Turn on your push notifications for this app to be alerted when new Disneyland content becomes available.
Download the official Disneyland app now if you have a Disneyland trip coming up. Get a feel for how it works. Set up your account. Check out park maps and wait times. Make dining reservations, if needed.
Related: Tips for Making the Most of the Official Disneyland App
Follow the Disney Parks Blog
The official Disney Parks blog has recently posted recipes, Disney backgrounds for Zoom meetings, park videos, music and more. Find it at https://disneyparks.disney.go.com/blog/.
The app and the blog are the best ways to stay in the know on every official Disneyland-at-home idea, directly from the parks. You'll also get updates on the newest Disneyland attractions and news.
Related: 30+ Tips for Doing Disneyland on a Budget
Make a Disney Recipe
Forget the copycats! Disneyland has recently released recipes for some of its most beloved treats, including churros and Dole Whip.
Download the Official Disneyland App and follow the Disney Parks Blog so you don't miss any more recipes. I'm hoping for a real Disneyland Monte Cristo sandwich or corn dog…
In case you missed it on the Disneyland app, here is the “frozen pineapple treat” recipe:
- 1 big scoop of ice cream
- 4 oz of pineapple juice
- 2 cups of frozen pineapple
- Blend ingredients together to make a thick drink
- Use a pastry bag and tip to swirl it into a bowl (optional)
The flavor is not exact (real Dole Whip is non-dairy and made from a mix), but this recipe still hits the spot. My 13-year-old son has made this treat every day since I bought the ingredients.
Click here for a printable PDF for Disney Parks Churro Bites, found on the Disney Parks blog.
Related: Why We Love Mobile Ordering at Disneyland
Listen to a Disneyland Soundtrack
We have Amazon Music Unlimited on our Amazon Echo smart speaker. This subscription allows us to instantly listen to almost any song or album that pops into our heads.
You can just ask your smart speaker to “play Disneyland music” and you'll be transported right to the park. I almost smell the water from Splash Mountain or Pirates of the Caribbean when I hear the music from the rides.
Our smart speaker sometimes needs a little help playing exactly what I want. Here are a few specific suggestions for albums or tracks.
- Walt Disney Records The Legacy Collection: Disneyland (album)
- Yo Ho (A Pirate's Life for Me) From Pirates of the Caribbean
- Splash Mountain Medley from Splash Mountain Disneyland
- Grim Grinning Ghosts from The Haunted Mansion
- Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye
- It's a Small World
- Star Tours
- Submarine Voyage from Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
- Space Mountain
- Welcome to Radiator Springs
- Soarin' From Soarin' Over California
Related: Best Rides at Disneyland Park
Watch a Disney Movie
Many Disneyland attractions are based on Disney movies. Some movies, like Pirates of the Caribbean were inspired by a classic Disneyland ride.
You'll appreciate many Disneyland attractions a lot more after you've seen the classic movies and shorts on which they are based. And it's a great way to bond with your family while you prep for your Disneyland trip.
You can probably find most of these movies at your local library. Or, consider a subscription to Disney+. This streaming channel is a must for Disney fans, and it offers a 7-day free trial. After that, it's $6.99 per month and you can cancel anytime. Learn more at https://www.disneyplus.com/
Movies that have specific attractions – or lands – in the parks include:
- Star Wars – start with the original trilogy, then The Force Awakens
- Princess movies – Starting with Snow White, Little Mermaid or Sleeping Beauty
- Peter Pan
- Indiana Jones – Start with Raiders of the Lost Ark
- Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl
- Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
- Cars
- Guardians of the Galaxy
- Toy Story
- The Incredibles
- Monsters Inc.
- Spiderman: Homecoming and other Marvel movies
- Coco
- Classic Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and Goofy cartoon shorts
Related: Best Rides at Disney's California Adventure Park
Visit YouTube
YouTube is filled with Disneyland rides, recipes, tips and more. Personally, I like the “disneyland rides pov” videos best. These are videos from the actual rides that make you feel like you're on the ride.
If you're prepping for a Disneyland trip, these unofficial videos are a good way to help kids know what to expect on a particular ride (assuming they meet height requirements).
Re-creating Disneyland rides at home has been a fun YouTube trend lately. Find these and related videos under #homemadedisneyland.
Even I have a Disneyland YouTube video – though it's more helpful in the park than at home. Watch it above, or find it at https://www.youtube.com/tipsforfamilytrips.
Book a Disneyland Vacation
Are you dying to pack your bags? Me too. I love having something to look forward to.
It's smart to book your Disneyland vacation well in advance because ticket and hotel costs go up every year. You can book your trip up to a year in advance and lock in current prices when you book through Get Away Today Vacations at getawaytoday.com.
Get Away Today has been working directly with Disneyland and nearby hotels for 25+ years. They have a low price guarantee for Disneyland vacation packages, and frequently offer special ticket and hotel deals. They also have a layaway program that lets you book early and pay off your Disneyland trip on your schedule.
During the recent Disneyland closure due to COVID-19, Get Away Today's team worked around the clock to make things right for families whose trips were interrupted or cancelled. They were among a short list of agencies who could refund tickets for customers who could not reschedule. You're in good hands when you book through Get Away Today.
Click the buttons below to shop Disneyland vacation packages at getawaytoday.com. Save an extra $10 on a hotel and ticket package with my coupon code: Tips10Trips.
Conclusion
Get your Disneyland fix anytime with these Disneyland-at-home ideas. Today, I'm listening to a Disneyland soundtrack and making my own Dole Whip. Tonight is our family movie night, and we've been working our way through the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Does your family have a favorite Disneyland-at-home idea? Please share in the comments, or email me anytime at [email protected].
Robyn
Fun!